Studies on character association and path analysis of quantitative traits among parental lines of marigold (Tagetes erecta and T. patula) and their interspecific F₁ hybrids

Interaction of nine morphological characteristics of marigold and their correlation with flower yield per plant were examined. The path-coefficient analysis provided information about direct and indirect of examined characteristics on flower yield per plant and harvest index. All the quantitative traits had a significant correlation (genotypic and phenotypic) coefficient with flower yield except plant height, where it had negatively significant correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient indicated strong inherent association among days to flowering, plant spread, number of flowers per plant, flower weight, flower size, stalk length, duration of flowering and harvest index with flower yield per plant, which could be considered as one of the important selection criteria in improvement of flower yield. The highest direct positive effect on flower yield per plant and harvest index was exhibited by the duration of flowering followed by number of flowers. Days to flowering, plant height and flower size had a direct negative effect on flower yield per plant and days to flowering, plant spread and number of flowers per plant had a direct negative effect on harvest index.